WASHINGTON (WUSA) -- DC Mayor Vincent Gray and the family of the late Abe Pollin were present for the groundbreaking for new townhomes in Ward 7 on Friday morning.

DC authorities say Abe Pollin wanted high-quality, affordable homes for city workers and they say the MetroTowns at Parkside make that dream a reality.

Mayor Gray released the following statement: ""I'm very pleased to celebrate this groundbreaking, which signals yet another affordable-housing project coming online east of the Anacostia River...We thank the family of Abe Pollin, Enterprise Homes, Inc. and everyone who worked together to meet this development milestone. Developments like this one are representative of my administration's commitment to enhancing affordable housing options throughout the District."

The residential community features green, three-bedroom townhomes priced from the mid-$200,000s. There are also 42 one-, two- and three-bedroom rental homes.

It's located at 810 Barnes Street NE, which was the site of a once-deteriorating public housing complex next to a vacant lot. The closest Metro train stop is Minnesota Avenue on the Orange Line.